A Post-Audit of the Potomac Eutrophication Model

Abstract: An unusual, unexpected, and unpredicted event - the Potomac Algae Bloom of 1983 - prompted a post-audit examination of the primary tool being used for guiding the continuing development of the nutrient control strategy for the Potomac River Estuary near Washington, D. C. , a water body historically plagued with massive blue-green algae blooms. The water quality history and problems of the Potomac are summarized, the modeling tool is explained, and the results and implications of what happened when the model was given a hard second look are explored.